Theme Parks Archives - Busy Moms Helper

Preparing for Star Wars Land

March 20, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Disney travel has been a hot topic since opening dates for their new Star Wars Land were announced. With Disneyland’s opening May 31st and Walt Disney World’s opening August 29th, it’s earlier than most had anticipated (especially Disney World, which was originally ‘late fall’!). This means many who had planned to travel around the openings to avoid the chaos and crowds are having to rethink their trip dates. Whether you’re switching things around to avoid anytime near the opening, hitting up opening week or aren’t quite sure – here’s some tips on Preparing for Star Wars Land!

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(some photos courtesy of Disney, used with permission)

While nobody REALLY knows what to expect from these huge openings – since there’s nothing really to compare it to except perhaps the Harry Potter lands at Universal – we can make some assumptions and plan as best as possible. What we do know is that for Disneyland’s opening, it will be on a ‘reservation basis’. The details are still a bit fuzzy, but it seems that instead of getting to the park hours ahead of time with the hopes of getting in, people will reserve what ‘time’ they can return to enter into Star Wars Land. Disney World’s version – located in the Hollywood Studios park – won’t be doing a reservation system, and neither park will be doing FastPass/FastPass+. While some are upset at this, I read an article that explains some of the math behind this, which makes sense and actually benefits pretty much everyone.

After several conversations with others, looking at similar times such as Universal’s Harry Potter openings and Pandora over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, there’s some tips we’ve all agreed upon that can help us prepare for Star Wars Land the best we can, given the overall uncertainty of how things will be.

1 – It WILL be crowded

There’s no sugar-coating it, the park WILL be insanely crowded – and not just opening week, but for quite a long time after. If you look at when Pandora opened, there were still long waits for Flights of Passage more than a year later, and this is STAR WARS (so a much more crazy fan base – I can say that because I’m included!). Yes, the few weeks or months after opening will be the absolute worst, but it won’t die down significantly until much later. Also, only the Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run will open at first – their second attraction, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, won’t open until a bit later (still no open date for it). That means you’ll have the crowds coming first for the whole area (food, sites, shops, etc.) and one ride, then a big surge AGAIN when they open the second attraction. Some people will wait until both are open, so it’s likely that the second surge will be as busy – if not more so – than the first.

As you plan, just accept that there will be crowds (and if you’re not okay with that, perhaps plan for a year or two out when it may start to mellow) and go in with that as your expectation. Plan to be more patient, wait around longer, be more crowded, and certainly not able to fit in as much into your day. Decide if that’s worth it to you when picking your travel dates.

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2 – Arrive early

Since Disneyland is doing a reservation basis for awhile, this applies mostly to Walt Disney World – get to the gates early. If you’re staying on-site, try to catch the first or second shuttle to the parks to help you be some of the first there. Note: This is for a bit AFTER opening day, as they’re anticipating people may even camp out for that part! But after that initial time, just try your best to get there early enough that you should be in the first few groups allowed into Star Wars Land. As they did with Pandora’s opening, it may be that a certain amount of people get in first, then they have a time limit inside the ‘land’. Once that’s up, another group or number of people get in, and so forth. Not sure if that’s how they’ll handle crowds this time, but given the amount of people and limited room inside the area, they’ll have to limit it somehow. Being early helps ensure you’ll be able to get in at least some point.

3 – Plan a whole day

Since there’s no guarantee how long it’ll take to get INTO the area, or how long you’ll be allowed once in there, it’s probably best to just plan a whole day for that park. Arrive early so you can get in sooner than the later arrivals, be prepared for lines and waits – then after you enjoy what we’re expecting to be an INCREDIBLE experience in Star Wars Land – you can decide where to go from there based on how long all of that took in the day. Perhaps schedule FastPass/FastPass+ for later in the day, just in case – but you’d hate to have a reservation around 11am only to arrive and find out you will barely be entering that land around then. Don’t rush yourself, as that will add stress and pressure – which isn’t helpful on vacation!

4 – Set priorities

If you’re a huge Star Wars fan (like us!) then you’ll likely put attendance here at the top of your list for your vacation must-dos. If crowds and long lines aren’t your style, and you aren’t too disappointed about waiting longer to see it all, then perhaps waiting a year or so until the crowds die down is the best choice for you. Decide what YOU really want for your vacation. Maybe you’ll still go and have a blast at the other parks, and just avoid this one for now because it isn’t as important to you. For us, we arranged our entire trip schedule so we can attend two days at Hollywood Studios, hoping that will be enough to see and do it all at Star Wars Land – but that’s because it’s high on our priorities.

Also decide if just dealing with lines for the RIDE is what matters, then you choose to hurry out of there to less crowded areas – or perhaps you can’t wait to try the FOOD at the various locations, so those lines are a better use of your time. Also, even if you WANT to see everything, still list out your priorities for once you’re in Star Wars Land in case it takes more time than you planned. For example, if you really want to do the ride AND try the foods, but the waits were too long and time will be out after you do the ride and only one quick service place, know beforehand which one will take that spot out of your schedule.

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5 – Be ready

Overall, you need to not only have your expectations set realistically and have a good plan – because who knows how timing or crowds or lines will work out – but also make sure YOU are ready. Do you have something to keep yourself (or your kids) entertained in a several-hours-long ride line? Do you have the proper bag and supplies to last you through a very crowded, long day? Be sure you have things like water bottles, great shoes (because all the walking and standing), sunscreen and maybe a hat, plus snacks. After all, if the line wait is 7 hours long, you’re gonna get hungry! Be sure to take care of yourself while tackling Star Wars Land, for your sake AND for the sake of those around you – nobody wants to be in a crowd full of cranky, miserable people when they’re in the happiest place in the galaxy!

Are you going to Star Wars Land this year?

5 Worst Disney World Quick Service Restaurants

March 13, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

There are plenty of great places to eat at Walt Disney World. Food has become a focus of the company ever since the massive success of the Epcot Festivals and the rise of food blogging and instagram. In order to get you to hashtag your hashbrowns, Disney comes up with some incredible stuff! While the many unique food items to come out seasonally are ‘hit and miss’ several permanent menus at counter service locations have shown improvement. Since there are so many counter service locations that will enhance your vacation experience on a budget, here are 5 Worst Disney World Quick Service Restaurants so you can limit the list.

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Electric Umbrella

This is easily one of the worst counter service restaurants in Epcot. It’s a little unfair, because Epcot has so many quick service locations to choose from. However, that’s precisely the problem. Electric Umbrella is standard theme park fast food in a park that celebrates world cultures and cuisine and even grows its own produce. Electric Umbrella is the first dining location you come to in Epcot and it’s best to keep moving.

Cosmic Rays

Cosmic Rays is not a terrible place to eat, but it serves very basic food that just does not taste very impressive. Pecos Bill Tall Tale Cafe, Columbia Harbor House and Casey’s Corner are all far better places to spend your time and money in Magic Kingdom. Best yet, try the lunch at Be Our Guest restaurant because it’s still quick service!

Yak and Yeti Local Foods Cafe

Please note this is different than the Yak and Yeti table service place, which we really enjoy.This food stand on the pathway from Asia to Africa in the Animal Kingdom park is a bit of a let down. While it has the right mix of food to satisfy a family with different tastes, the quality of the food is a mixed bag as well. Depending on what you order, this can be an acceptable stop or a disappointment.

With so many snack carts and Flame Tree Barbecue (which can also give you the most bang for your buck) so close, don’t take the risk here. Or head over to Satu’li Canteen because holy cow it’s tasty (and unique)!

Refreshment Outpost

Back to Epcot – this is the second worst counter service restaurant in Disney World. In the African Outpost, you have to be starving and somehow unable to move another hundred feet. If you like basic hotdogs but hate bratwurst, then you’re the target audience at Refreshment outpost. The food stand literally only serves a basic hot dog, along with soft serve, slushes and beverages. I can only see stopping here for a quick snack for your child if you have to (and we all know those instances do happen). Otherwise, you should ignore it and move on. NOTE: The exception to this is during festivals when it has special offerings!

PizzeRizzo

The absolute worst counter service in Disney World has got to be PizzeRizzo. No one liked it the first time when it was Pizza Planet. The pizza is the same and it’s the worst pizza on Disney Property. Even worse, the restaurant themed to the zany and nonsensical Muppets completely misses the mark on decor. There is a fair amount of seating because nobody likes it. At this point, it’s only open seasonally as a way to prevent overcrowding. Backlot Express and ABC Commissary are much better alternatives, but you really shouldn’t go to Hollywood Studios without dining at the many themed table service restaurants they have there (we’re trying the Sci-Fi Dine In Theater on our next visit!)

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What’s your favorite quick service Disney World restaurant?

7 Things to NEVER Bring to Disney World, plus 10 You MUST!

March 6, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

We’re definitely not Disney newbies anymore – that ship sailed long ago, and we consider ourselves veterans at this point. With our many visits to the parks, we’ve learned well what items are truly useful to bother bringing, but also items that should be left at home or in the hotel. There’s many times when I’ve been going through security and saw a frazzled family being stopped because what they thought would be a wise packing choice ended up being a big regret. Save yourself the hassle, and avoid these 7 Things to NEVER Bring to Disney World, plus 10 You MUST!

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I previously shared about what you should pack for Disney trips, and even one that’s specific to Disney World packing ideas, but after so many people loved our 7 things to never bring on a cruise plus 10 you must – and asked us to do a Disney park version, we couldn’t resist! You don’t want to get to security – excited for all the rides, foods, parades, characters and fireworks – just to be told you have to either throw something away or even take it back to your hotel room.

Keep in mind, Disney has an extensive list HERE that tells more specifically what isn’t allowed in the parks. Security is thorough, so don’t try to be sneaky and dishonest – this causes risks for everyone, and you don’t want to be responsible for ruining anyones magical vacation, especially yours!

Things to NEVER Bring to Disney World:

Selfie Stick – not only can this be annoying to others on a ride or trying to walk through the already-crowded streets, but it can be a hazard on rides
Glass – bottles, containers, even glass make-up things can be declined. One year they almost emptied my bag because I had a square lip balm in there, and the clear plastic looked like glass. They ended up letting it through once they realize it wasn’t glass, but wow
Hard-Sided Coolers – you can bring in smaller soft-sided ones, but leave the hard outsides either at your hotel, rent a locker, or just leave them home. This is probably to avoid theft, or the risk of someone bringing in items they shouldn’t
Drones – while it’s fun to get cool aerial shots, I’m sure you can see the chaos and danger with bringing these, so just leave them home
Shoes with built-in wheels – while this may seem a good idea for the kiddos to ‘roll’ along instead of walk, they’re not allowed at Disney because it could cause too many bumps, bruises, falls or plain chaos. Imagine everyone running around – that’s about the crazy of kids rolling around
Bags with Wheels – I’ve seen people trying to bring in their rolly-bags, only to be stopped and given a firm NO. Totally understand not wanting to carry a bag on your back all day, but it’s such a tripping hazard in the crowds
Folding Chairs – I know, long lines make you want to rest, but then you’re a bit SOL on the ride, huh? Also may seem smart for parades, but just bring a blanket (that you don’t mind getting dirty) and planning ahead

BONUS: Wrapped Presents – a birthday party or other celebration at a Disney park sounds amazing, but they have to be able to inspect everything you bring in, so sadly if you bring a wrapped present, they’ll have to open it up. Just do a cute gift bag instead!

FUNNY BONUS: Cremated Remains – yes, I’m serious. Plenty of people have been caught trying to bring in vases or other vessels holding remains of their loved ones (either to ‘enjoy the park with us’ or to try and spread them around, especially at the Haunted Mansion). They’ll catch you, you’ll get in trouble – so just don’t

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Things you MUST Bring to Disney World (or at least really should):

Lip Balm – between the sun, lots of food (and hopefully plenty of hydrating) and rides, your lips are definitely going to be needing it
Sunscreen – I understand some people burn easier than others, but wouldn’t you rather be extra safe just in case, instead of risking all the pain of a sunburn for the rest of your trip?
Blister Prevention – If you haven’t been to a Disney park before, you may not understand when people say a LOT of walking – it’s a whole new level of LOT! Your toes, heels and pads of your feet will be screaming by the end of the day, so be sure to have moleskin and blister bandaids in case
Flexible Bag – you know you need a bag to carry things (tickets, phone, etc) but make sure it’s not TOO big or TOO rigid, or you’ll have a hard time stowing it on the rides
Ziploc Baggies – several sizes; you’ll need them for putting things in you don’t want wet (on water rides or in the rain), store leftover snacks, or even if someone gets sick and you just can’t get to a garbage or bathroom in time (yes, I’ve seen this happen at the parks plenty)
Battery Backup – we all love our phones, especially for those awesome photos of the kiddos, but make sure you have enough spare juice to last you the entire day
Sanitizer/Wipes – with that many people, I don’t even want to think about how many germs are there. Wash your hands often, and bring sanitizer for those random moments (a sticky handrail isn’t a nice surprise) and nab a pack of wet wipes like this one for the many messes!
Sunglasses – it’s bright, the wind blows in your face (even on fast indoor rides), so give your peeps some protection
Tissues – the last thing you need is getting a runny nose, watery eyes (totally happens to me on the fast indoor rides!) or whatever that you need a tissue fast, but aren’t close to a bathroom
Collapsible Water Bottle – it’s super important to stay hydrated, but you can’t (and don’t want to) take a full water bottle on the rides. These water bottles have been amazing for all of our trips, hold enough water for awhile, then we just finish it off and fold them up for the rides. Love it!

BONUS: Rubber Bands/Hair Bands – if you get a caricature like us, or the kiddos make a drawing at one of the kid stations in Epcot, you need to be able to roll it up to safely transport it home, so secure it with a rubber band or hair tie!

What packing mishaps have you seen or done?

Fly with Toothless at iFly

March 2, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

We received a complimentary visit to try this flying adventure. All opinions are mine alone.

We’ve all dreamed of flying with dragons – and now you can really experience the adventure and Fly with Toothless at iFly! Dreamworks and iFly have teamed up for the release of How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World to offer you an unforgettable experience that the whole family will be talking about for a long time to come. Our family had the opportunity to try out this unbelieve Virtual Reality experience, and we’re still on cloud 9!

Our family was a mix of excitement and nervousness, as we had no clue what to expect from our exciting evening. Despite a few fears, even the littles couldn’t wait to try it out and were talking about it for many days leading up to our appointment! We went to the Dallas location, but the How to Train Your Dragon virtual reality experience is available nationwide (there’s over 30 locations in the U.S.) exclusively at iFly.

First of all, the basics: While you can enjoy iFly indoor skydiving as young as 3 years old, the Virtual Reality (VR) experiences are for ages 6 and up and for weights up to 260 pounds. As first time flyers (but now definite repeats!), our package included a short training to start – so they could explain how it works and the various hand signals used in the wind tunnel – as well as two 1-minute flights each before the VR.

They provide the jumpsuits (can fit over regular clothes, just don’t wear something bulky), helmets, goggles and foam ear plugs. You do need to wear closed-toe shoes that won’t slip off.

I knew they worked with younger kids, but was still nervous if they’d have something that fit my littles – but they had quite the variety and had the right thing for all 7 of us! Don’t we look adorable in our gear? 😉

I’m so glad we got to try out the regular flight before, because you can really get a feel for the wind blowing and the instructor guiding your body around as you fly. Especially for the kiddos, I don’t know how they would’ve done having a VR set on without knowing their ‘real’ surroundings first. Plus we could experience the VR better as we weren’t as ‘flingy’ as the first flight!

If your kiddos are a bit unsure like some of mine were, don’t worry – the instructors are incredible, preparing us with all the information beforehand and guiding us every step of the way. Ashley was with our crew, and I can’t speak highly enough of her. She kept it extremely fun, safe and was super patient with some of my littles that were more CLINGY….

If you’re wondering – after this first flight of his, he had his arms fully out for the second, so we were thrilled at his progress and feeling more at ease! Just from the flights, the kiddos were begging to come back again soon – and we hadn’t even done the awesome VR, yet!

Now it was time for the BIG event – flying like a dragon! We raced Toothless and Astrid, but you can also pick Hiccup if you’d rather him. They get you all equipped with the VR headset outside of the tunnel, making sure it’s working and you can see. Then you begin your race in a fully-immersive and exhilarating adventure through the world of Berk from the new film How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World!

The instructor has you the entire time, moving you around so your flight is totally life-like. They have a screen so the instructor can see exactly what you see, so they can move you perfectly around the mountains, hills or other obstacles you may encounter.

Feel free to look around as much as you’d like, because there’s stuff to see ALL AROUND YOU, not just in front! It was so incredible to soar right along our beloved dragon Toothless, and really feel what it’s like to fly. This breathtaking journey is unforgettable, and it’s truly a family experience I recommend for everyone that’s able. My kids are STILL talking about it, and can’t to go back as soon as we can. Be sure to ask them about return pass deals when you’re there, because that’s when you can get the best prices!

Of all the exciting things I’ve had the privilege of doing for this site, I can honestly say that this was definitely in my top 10 favorites! Hurry and schedule your time to try out this incredible VR experience to feel and see for yourself what it really is like to fly like a dragon!

Who’s YOUR favorite from How to Train Your Dragon?

Meet Michael’s VIPs

February 27, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

I was provided tour guide services to facilitate this review. As always, all opinions are mine alone and I will only promote services I truly enjoy and recommend.

Since I don’t want to overwhelm y’all with a zillion posts from my incredible trip to Florida, I’ll be spreading them out over the next couple months because there’s SO MUCH to share with you! For now, I’m thrilled to let you Meet Michael’s VIPs, the amazing private tour guide company that I had the privilege of working with and trying out their services. Guys, they were PHENOMENAL, and made the trip a million times less stressful – plus we got to experience a lot more – than if we’d tackled the parks by ourselves.

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So what exactly is Michael’s VIPs? They’re a private tour guide company in Central Florida you can hire for your trip to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World – or even other locations in the area! They’ve learned the ins and outs of all these parks, and I was astonished all the knowledge they have of the history, operations and happenings. So why choose Michael’s VIPs?

Michael’s was founded by a former Walt Disney World VIP Tour Guide in 1999, and they’ve grown like crazy from the amazing recommendations they receive from happy clients. Once people experience the parks with such a valuable guide, they learn that it’s the best way to vacation! Now, normally they try to put you with the same guide for the duration of your trip, but since we wanted to get to know a few of their guides and see what each of them had to offer, we were joined by a new guide each day for a different park. Without further ado, let me introduce you to the great staff we got to enjoy for our trip!

Renee – Magic Kingdom

You know those people that are so sweet, full of sunshine and energy, and you can’t help but absolutely adore? That would be Renee! She was so much fun, and her bubbly personality made the Magic Kingdom that much more magical – it was almost contagious. We loved hearing about her previous jobs at Disney, and got to ride everything we wanted that day. When our Jungle Cruise fast passes were going to make us late for our reservation at Cinderella’s Royal Table for lunch, she worked some magic and fit it in afterwards without much of a wait. She knew where all the fun play areas for kids were around the park, as well as some entertaining cue lines.

She talked about the families she’s worked with before (many repeats, because you can’t help but love Renee!) with such fondness, you could tell she really loves her job. We called her our ‘walking, talking guide map‘ because she knew exactly where to go, including some shortcuts, so we didn’t waste time wandering lost. Since she’d worked for Disney before, she was able to tell us a lot about the changes made in the past, how certain things are done, how the shows and entertainment has evolved, and much more. Oh, and we had a great time chatting everything Star Wars!!!

With her excitement for all the magic of Disney, plus how much she got into the spirit of it and totally adored the kids all around, I highly recommend her for families with kids. Or just a girls day – since it was just my mom and I, it was a great start to the trip! She even checked in on us later in the week to make sure we were having a great time. Thank you Renee!

Jason – Universal Studios

While there’s rules in Disney that their employees can’t also do an outside guide service, Universal doesn’t – so Jason does Michael’s VIPS AND works in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! Needless to say, this made him super knowledgeable and perfect for these parks. I lost count of how many people working said ‘hi’ to him as we were there. Like all the guides, Jason knew exactly where to go, the best order/ways to do rides, and when shows were happening. He was also full of information so we could learn more about the history and operations of Universal.

Jason was sure to show us all the kid areas, too, since Universal does lean more towards older kids. I hadn’t realized there were some really fun places for the younger group, too! He was great to not tell us if a ride was ‘good’ or not beforehand, letting us judge for ourselves. And since my mom was worried about getting sick on Forbidden Journey – the ride he actually works as Lead on – he had tips to help keep the motion sickness at bay. When Hogwarts Express was down for the day for repairs, he smoothly adjusted our plans and schedule without missing a beat. Amazing!

It was such a fun day, and we had a blast talking with Jason! It’s one thing to look around the parks and ride the rides, but it was even better because we were learning about it all, as well. I think Jason’s the perfect guide for Universal & the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and think he’d do great with a family with teens – they’d love chatting with him and going on the bigger rides! Oh, and he was such a gentleman, helping us carry our ridiculous amount of bags 😀 Thank you Jason!

Chris – Animal Kingdom

Chris is a former entertainer/stuntman for Disney, and you can tell he has the entertainer personality! Just super friendly, easy to chat with, and as with all of Michael’s VIPs he knows all the ins and outs of the parks. He joined us for breakfast to start off the day, and helped us take photos with characters and throughout the park (the Tree of Life was incredible, y’all!). He talked with us throughout the day on how WE wanted to spend out time, when we were ready to call it a day, and what we thought of the rides and shows we did. He even knew the best spots for each of the shows, so we had a great view.

He was even prepared with ponchos for Kali River Rapids – check out how ‘cute’ my mom and I are in this picture he snapped for us from the bridge…

Chris is the perfect private tour guide for a high-energy group looking for an exciting, stress-free, fun-filled time with lots of entertainment and stories! Thanks Chris!

Rob – Hollywood Studios

You know those people who can spout out amazing facts about pretty much everything? Yup, that’s Rob when it comes to Disney World things, including Walt Disney himself! We learned so much, and had a great time touring Hollywood Studios. When we went longer than expected at lunch, Rob took care of switching fast passes (during lunch, without anyone noticing – these guys have such a knowledge of the My Disney Experience App and can fix things on the go!) so our afternoon wasn’t thrown completely off. We got to try every ride and show we wanted, and even though the layout of this particular park is wacky, he knew right where to go.

He knew I was a Star Wars fan, just like him, so he made sure to wear his Millennium Falcon shirt for our day together! Kylo Ren wasn’t too fond of it though – haha! Rob would be especially great for those groups looking to not only have a super fun time in the parks, but also learn more about their history AND future plans (Toy Story Land & Star Wars Land – can’t wait!). Oh, and he takes GREAT ride photos 😉 Thanks Rob!

Adam – Manager of Michael’s VIPs

For the past 7-8 months of planning (remember, you have to do dining 180 days prior, and fast passes 30-60 days), I’ve been in contact with Adam, the head guy now over at Michael’s VIPs. He was super helpful when we were deciding plans, recommending things and answering my million and one questions with ease. Once we agreed on a plan, he took care of the fast passes and meal reservations for me so I didn’t have to figure out the system or wake up super early for those hard-to-get dining times!

He stopped in a couple of times during our visit to check on things, and was ‘That Guy’ in the Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor show, which was hilarious for us. Not only was Adam professional and helpful with all the planning – and patiently dealt with any changes I needed – but also is just a downright friendly and easy to talk to guy. The guides had nothing but amazing things to say about him – and you know someone’s a great person if their employees think that highly of them! You rock, Adam!

Thank you so much Adam & the rest of the team at Michael’s VIPs for an unforgettable trip! Hopefully we’ll see you again soon!

For tickets or hotel deals, be sure to check out Get Away Today for the best prices – plus use Promo Code: BusyMomsHelper for even more savings!

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5 Great Places to Eat Breakfast at Disneyland

February 20, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially if you’re going to be walking around a theme park for hours. You’ll need a lot of energy to get you through all those steps and the crowds, so make a smart decision and start the day off right at one of these 5 Great Places to Eat Breakfast at Disneyland! While there’s breakfast options at Disneyland that can be as magical as any ride, there are also options for those in a hurry to get going. Whether you’re a regular breakfast eater or not, here are some of the best suggestions of what to eat when you start your day at the happiest place on earth.

Carnation Cafe

At Carnation Cafe on Main Street USA, you can take in the timeless scenery while you enjoy a classic American breakfast at Disneyland. Country Fried Steak and Eggs, Pancakes, or Mickey Waffles are also on the menu. Kick back and gear up for a full day of fun by stopping here before you begin your adventure. It’s also a great location to sit outside in the shade and watch all the excited, eager faces as they make their way into the park!

Jolly Holiday

This Mary Poppins inspired bakery is a lovely place to enjoy a fast breakfast pastry and some coffee. It has such darling charm to it! There’s a patio that overlooks the hub for you to relax at (as long as you aren’t too anxious to get going) – but you can also walk with your food if you need to make time while enjoying breakfast at Disneyland.

Plaza Inn

If one thing will keep the kids entertained while you get fueled up for a long day of excitement, it’s character dining. The Plaza Inn offers pastries, cereals, eggs, breakfast meats, french toast, Mickey waffles, biscuits and gravy, as well as made to order omelets. They’ve got the bases covered, and classic Disney characters come around to the tables. Plaza Inn is also on the hub at the end of Main Street on the right side, near the entrance to Tomorrowland.

Red Rose Taverne

If you decide to get a little bit of a head start on the rides, one of the best plans is to do a few attractions in Fantasyland and then take a break at Red Rose Taverne. Afterwards, you can explore more of Fantasyland, or continue west toward Frontierland. The Red Rose Taverne is inspired by Belle’s provincial town in Beauty and the Beast! There’s a warm and cozy indoor atmosphere as well as plenty of outdoor seating with a view of Casey Junior. The food is quick service, but this is one place where you can get seasonal treats mixed in with the regular menu – as well as Mickey Mouse pancakes.

River Belle Terrace

A more formal dining experience awaits at the River Belle Terrace on the outskirts of Adventureland. This restaurant exists at the three point intersection of Frontierland, Adventureland and New Orleans Square. Among the unique breakfast offerings here are the Mark Twain (eggs, breakfast meat, potatoes, biscuits), short rib skillet, and again Mickey Mouse Pancakes. Never take a Mickey waffle when you can have a Mickey Mouse pancake – not everybody does it! River Belle Terrace is in such a great location for a late-morning breakfast after experiencing either Frontierland or Adventureland. Plus, it’s right in front of the entrance to Pirates of the Caribbean. Don’t forget to make a reservation for this one!

Where’s your favorite place for breakfast at Disneyland?

Healthy Disney World Snacks under $7

February 13, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

While many don’t really give it much thought, you actually CAN eat healthy at Disney World – sometimes you just need to implement a few tricks like ordering an entree without the sides, or snacking on various salads. There are all kinds of variations of salads alone that I could do a list on. While I totally recommend enjoying a variety of foods as you make your way through the parks, it’s good to look for healthy snack options occasionally, too. You can easily find them at the fruit stands and counter service locations. Here are five Healthy Disney World snacks for under $7.00.

Sweet Thai Chili Shrimp $6.99

This is the priciest snack on the list, but you’ll understand why. This cute Little Mermaid inspired dish has a gorgeous presentation and it’s perfect for shrimp lovers (like my hubby). It’s found at Prince Eric’s Village Market, where you can find other healthy snack items as well.

Chicken Corn Chowder $4.69

Sunshine Seasons in Epcot is one of the best counter service locations you can go to for healthy snacks, as well as variety! They have tons of grab and go options, and most of them are pretty good for you. If you prefer to get something hot, try the Chicken Corn Chowder. It’s under $5 and is fantastic. There’s also a black bean soup you can try if you don’t eat meat.

Carrot and Celery Sticks with Hummus $4.49

One of the most prevalent and easy to find healthy snacks in Disney World is this little pack of veggies and hummus. You can find them in fruit stands all over the parks and resorts, including Sunshine Seasons. These cost only $4.49 and are among the healthiest treats you can eat while on vacation at Disney World. They’re also a big hit with kiddos who just need something to munch on!

Good Health Veggie Chips $2.99

Sunshine Seasons is so full of healthy choices, I couldn’t help but include one more option. While the Carrot and Celery pack is available all over Disney World, I’ve only seen these chips at Sunshine seasons. This is a great substitute snack option if you are a really heavy chip eater. Fruits and veggies are great if you typically like to eat fruits and veggies, but if you want something that feels a little more indulgent while on vacation, these veggie chips are kind of like the best of both worlds.

Whole Fruit $2.29

Last, but not least, we come to fruit. It’s the lowest cost healthy snack option and you can find it almost anywhere these days. You can find easily accessible fruit stands with grapes, apples, clementines, pineapple… fruit is a healthy and sweet treat that is very convenient when you’re eating healthy on-the-go in the parks. Some fruit markets are less beneficial than others, though – Anaheim Produce at Hollywood Studios only offers beverages and pretzels on the menu, but Harambe Fruit Market is a true fruit stand with a variety of options in whole fruit and fruit servings. This fruit stand is located in the African section of Animal Kingdom Park. There are fruit stands in Magic Kingdom at Liberty Square, Epcot at (you guessed it) The Land Pavilion, and of course in the resorts as well.

What’s your favorite healthy Disney World snack?

Top Walt Disney World Selfie Spots

January 23, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

There are plenty of instagram opportunities all around Walt Disney World. While it’s not recommended that you snap a selfie on a ride, at Disney World even the walls are a compelling backdrop! Here are some of the best Walt Disney World Selfie Spots – some are professionally selected views that make excellent backdrops, others are must do selfie walls in Magic Kingdom, Epcot and beyond!

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The Sword in the Stone

It’s hard to get more iconic than the Sword in the Stone, and yet this location, which is perfect for capturing all kinds of great memories is no wear near as photographed as it should be – it’s definitely worth a stop! You can also turn around for a less common angle of Cinderella Castle as your backdrop, which is certainly fun.

The Purple Wall

The #purplewall is so instagrammable, Disney’s even made Purple Wall merchandise. This wall marks the right side entrance to Tomorrowland. It’s still one of the best places in Disney World to take a selfie.

Rapunzel’s Bathrooms

Okay, I don’t mean actually IN that bathrooms, but outside of the Rapunzel themed bathrooms is beautiful artwork along the walls, fun theming and even hanging lanterns. We always snap a pic when we’re in this spot – located in Magic Kingdom!

Tiki Statues

Get too close and they’ll spit on you, but these Tiki statues make great a background – at a safe distance. Find them in Adventureland near Aladdin’s Flying Carpets.

The Bubblegum Wall

This is another popular wall, but not quite as famous as the Purple Wall. The #bubblegumwall is located at the exit to Spaceship Earth. While you’re at it, you should grab yourself a shot of the giant sphere from the outside, as well.

Rockin’ Roller Coaster Entrance

It’s hard to think of a more dynamic backdrop than a converted invertable… I mean, an inverted convertible. This section of Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the best place for a selfie – but we’ll see what happens when Galaxy’s Edge opens this year!

The Toothpaste Wall

Not to be outdone, the Toothpaste Wall at the Seas with Nemo and Friends gives of minty fresh and seafoam green instagram appeal with a hashtag of it’s own – #toothpastewall. Dress appropriately, though, as the right fashions can really pop or blend with these walls for added visual flair.

Mexico Pavilion Epcot

Another wall in Epcot that gives a more textural expression to your selfie is the wall at the top of the temple stairway, just outside the Mexico Pavilion. This is both iconic and understated.

Giant At-AT

Maybe it’s just the Star Wars fans like us, but we can’t resist getting a photo in front of the giant At-At at Star Tours ride in Hollywood Studios!

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You Are Most Beautiful Wall

Maybe the best wall in the bunch is way over in Animal Kingdom. The #YouAreMostBeautifulWall is a relatively new addition to the Disney World Instagram wall roster. This wall is to be found at the Harambe Market.

Where’s your favorite Disney World selfie spot?

Childcare at Disney World

January 16, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Childcare has always been a strong feature in a Walt Disney World vacation. After all, children are a major factor in the creation and enjoyment of the Disney Parks! Sometimes mom and dad need a date night, though, so Disney has historically made that possible through kids clubs within various resorts. Unfortunately, that all came to an end earlier last year – however, there are still ways that Disney makes it possible to enjoy some time separate from catering to the needs of you little ones. Below is some info on Childcare at Disney World to help you out!

Photos used with permission from Disney.

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Pixar Play Zone

While the kids clubs have been done away with, the Contemporary Resort now offers a very immersive and entertaining experience for children that includes character encounters, fun games and activities and dinner as well. If you’re planning a special night for two and need to make arrangements for the kids, this is probably the best thing you could do for everybody involved! If you play it right, they won’t even know you’re doing it for you! The experience is $65 plus tax and runs from 6:00p-10:30p.

In-Room Babysitting

Another option you may choose to employ, depending on the length of time you plan to be out, is in-room babysitting. This is offered through Kids Nite Out and has a starting rate of $18 per hour for the first child. There’s a raise of $2 more per hour for each additional kid and the rate increases by $2 per hour after 9:00p. There’s also a $10 transportation fee. If you’re comparing to Pixar Play Zone, under the precise circumstances In-Room babysitting is $108 for one child as opposed to $65 plus tax. Whereas the other Disney World child care options are for children 4-12, this option is available to babies as young as 6 months.

Baby Center

Every Park in Disney World has a Baby Center. These are lifesavers if you need a little extra time or space to prepare food for your baby or toddler. Baby centers are a restful place for feeding, changing and finding some quiet time. This is also the place children are taken to if, heaven forbid, they’re separated from their parents.

The Baby Center in Magic Kingdom is on the left side of the hub between Casey’s Corner and Adventureland. They have plenty of room and high chairs. There’s even a regularly playing Disney Movie and some activities for kids!

The Baby Center in Epcot is not as good, but still functional. It’s located at the halfway point between Test Track and the Mexico Pavilion where Future World and World Showcase meet.

The Baby Center in Hollywood Studios is to your immediate left as you enter the park.

In Animal Kingdom park it’s located on the left side of Discovery Island near the bridge to Africa.

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In Park Assistance

Few people are aware of this, but you can even reserve a child care specialist to accompany you to the parks and provide assistance as needed! This is accomplished through Kids Nite Out. The same rates apply and are subject to change.

Treasure Hunt

Another way for the little ones to have some fun without the parents is to go on a treasure hunt. There are pirate cruises that depart in either Crescent Lake or 7 Seven Seas Lagoon. These kids-only cruises involve snacks, stories, character meet and greets, and – of course – hidden treasure. The two hour swashbuckling adventures run from $39-$49 per child.

Have you tried any of these Disney World childcare options?

5 Best Places to Rest in Magic Kingdom

January 9, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

During the course of your busy day running all around Disney Parks, you will likely need a break for at least someone in your party (such as an exhausted toddler or worn out spouse). The park gets hot and crowded, not to mention all that walking tends to wear you down. If your day is getting not so fun, consider taking a short break in one of these 5 Best Places to Rest in Magic Kingdom!

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Swiss Family Treehouse

At the base of the Swiss family Treehouse there are benches in the shade that most people are too busy to notice as they run into Adventureland. That’s alright, because that makes it a great place to take a break in Magic Kingdom. In addition to the shaded benches the area is also close to Sunshine Tree Terrace, so it’s a convenient place to enjoy a Citrus Swirl as well. There are plenty of other food kiosks in the park that have available seating, but they’re either too popular or lack the same quality scenery.

Pete’s Silly Sideshow

Well, next to anyway. There’s a large tent in Dumbo’s Storybook Circus that serves no other purpose right now than as a place to take a break in Magic Kingdom. The open space is completely shaded and there are plenty of chairs for sitting. This is a great location because it’s near the back of the park and more or less in the center. It’s a convenient place to catch your breath at a point where you may need the break.

On The Liberty Belle

I love this solution when I’m feeling worn out and need to take a break in Magic Kingdom. A slow scenic float around the rivers of America is great for recharging my batteries. This is just like taking a break in a bench except the scenery moves, and sometimes you can get a nice breeze. The Walt Disney World Railroad is also a relaxing choice, however, for the scenery it is not nearly as good as the riverboat. One advantage to taking the train, however is that it can drop you at the other side of the park and you don’t have to walk.

Catch a Show

Another way you can take a break in Magic Kingdom while crossing some attractions off your to do list is to take in a show. If you plot your day right you can do several shows in a short time. The shows are continuously running, which means short but relaxing waits, followed by a relaxing show in an air conditioned space. The Enchanted Tiki Room and The Country Bear Jamboree are in close proximity and not far from them is the Hall of Presidents.

“it’s a small world”

I know, not everyone’s absolute favorite (but it’s a classic, come on!), but it’s so nice to rest in a smooth boat ride full of music and fun displays to entertain you. Plus, another ride checked off the list while you rest your tired feet – bonus!

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Columbia Harbor House

If you want to grab some refreshments and have an indoor break Columbia Harbor House will serve nicely. This is a counter service restaurant near the Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square. If you go upstairs you will find plenty of seating. This is a relatively quiet place to enjoy a meal in comfort and regroup before heading back out to finish the rest of your day in the Magic Kingdom. There are other quick service eateries around Magic Kingdom as well, but this is the most peaceful and relaxing location for now.

Where’s your favorite place to rest in Magic Kingdom?

5 Trending Walt Disney World Souvenirs

January 2, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

What are the hottest items at Walt Disney World right now? Some souvenirs have become very popular among guests, and since Disney has taken notice of social media, they’re becoming very good at perpetuating trends involving their most popular merchandise. Disney’s obscure men’s fashion line Twenty Eight and Main has floundered, while Cherry Tree Lane dresses and Dooney and Bourke designer purses fly off the shelves. Pineapple Dole Whips can be found on nearly every form of merchandise due to their status as a Walt Disney World icon (now I’m craving one!). To give you some ideas on the current favs, here are 5 Trending Walt Disney World Souvenirs to look for on your next vacation.

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Banshees

Ever since these became available at Pandora Land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park, people have loved being able to ‘adopt’ their own Banshee. My boys saved up for many months before our trip to get one to share, and love it! They can roar, flap their wings and turn their head according to your controls. With all the various colors and patterns, it’s fun visiting the little Banshee nursery at the shop in Pandora to pick out your very own.

Spirit Jerseys

Spirit Jerseys have been a trend for a while, and they aren’t going away anytime soon. They’ve been popular at least as far back as the rose gold hysteria, but where rose is now staying on the rack with the rest of the merchandise, the jerseys are remaining relevant with new colors and character designs coming out all the time. This is a hot clothing item that continues to sell.

Festival and Party Merchandise

No matter when you go to Disney World, there’s a festival. It used to be a way to get more guests in during the slow season, but festivals at Epcot are so popular, they keep adding new ones throughout the year. After Hours parties are also increasingly popular, with new dates added to seasonal parties at Magic Kingdom every year. These festivals and parties are also big merchandising events with exclusive souvenirs unique to your time of stay. They’re some of the biggest trending Disney World souvenirs you’ll find! Personally, we loved the glow cubes and fun cups we got during the Food & Wine Festival.

Haunted Mansion

Attractions based merchandise isn’t a rarity in the parks – all the best rides have exits that spill directly into a gift shop. There has been a fair amount of homogenization over the last several years though, and a lot of the shops have similar product. Interestingly, the hottest trending attraction merchandise isn’t actually from one of these stores. Yes, Haunted Mansion, does have it’s own themed gift shop, Memento Mori, but it isn’t at the exit of the ride. It is, however, exclusively Haunted Mansion themed and there is a wide range of product to choose from. The popular attraction is also featured in the World of Disney Store and other general Disney themed stores.

Ears

Mickey and Minnie Ears have always been a pretty solid seller at the Disney Parks, and Minnie Ears in particular have exploded as one of the top trending Disney World souvenirs. Rose gold might be out, but guests are still flocking to pick up the newest models. Now there’s a mix and match option that makes these iconic accessories even more irresistible! The collectibility and interchangeability has them nearly approaching pin status.

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Souvenir mugs

Souvenir mugs have been a thing for as far back as I can remember, but never have they been more pervasive or more collectible – you can get different themes everywhere you go! They’re not just for kids either, as adults go crazy for the collectible souvenir cups at places like Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, or even the big mug at Gaston’s Tavern.

Which Disney World souvenir is your favorite?

5 Perks to Disney World Resorts

December 26, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Staying at a Disney World resort comes with a variety of benefits. These advantages all but guarantee you won’t slip off to somewhere else during your trip. If you plan on leaving for other parks in Orlando, then you may not want to stay at a Disney resort – but the ease of staying on property will deter you from doing anything else! For the all encompassing Disney experience you can’t get anywhere else, it’s got to be a Disney World resort hotel. Here are 5 Perks to Disney World Resorts that can really make your vacation extra magical.

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Magical Express

Right out the arrivals gate, you have an immediate benefit to staying at a Disney World resort – you don’t have to go to baggage claim to pick up your luggage. It’s automatically taken to your hotel for you! You just need to go straight to the Magical Express area and check in, then they will assign you a coach that takes you straight to Disney World and drops you off at your resort free of charge. When it’s time to leave, the Magical Express coach picks you up to take you back to the airport.

Complimentary Magic Band

You will be sent a complimentary Magic Band for use during vacation. The Magic Band is like a skeleton key, used for everything from getting into your room, to park admission, to buying virtually anything on property. Every purchase you make with a magic band gets charged to your room. Those unfamiliar with magic bands express concern about how easy it is to spend money. It always comes up in conversations as a negative – however, I love the convenience, and can tell you that every time I’ve used the magic band to charge to my room throughout a trip, I wound up spending less than I thought I was. Magic bands are also used for Fastpasses and personalized greetings, which are sure to become more developed in the near future.

Free Transportation

This might be the one thing above everything else that you will absolutely love. You can get anywhere in Disney World for free by bus, boat, or monorail. The variety of options depends on where you stay, but you don’t have to rent a car, deal with traffic, or pay for parking. The bus network is extensive and very convenient. There are a lot of lakes in Disney World, so boats are quite useful in getting around in certain parts. The two monorail systems and the upcoming Skyliner system add to the convenience of getting around the most heavily trafficked areas.

Advance Reservations

When you’re a guest at a Disney World resort, you have privileges in the form of advanced reservations. You get to select Fastpasses 30 days sooner than non resort guests – meaning you have a much better chance of securing your top choices in each of the parks! You also get a 180 day advance window for dining reservations. If you are dying to eat at one of the most popular restaurants, this window can make or break your chances of getting a table.

In Room Celebrations

You can add a little magic to your stay at a Disney World resort that you could not do otherwise. Disney offers a variety of packages called ‘in room celebrations’. They come in the forms of different packages and baskets containing a variety of themed treats depending on what you want to celebrate. This is a really fun indulgence on special occasions and you can only do it at one of the Disney World resort hotels. Keep in mind they do cost extra, but can really sprinkle a bit of extra pixie dust on your trip.

1 – It WILL be crowded

2 – Arrive early

3 – Plan a whole day

4 – Set priorities

5 – Be ready

Are you going to Star Wars Land this year?

Electric Umbrella

Cosmic Rays

Yak and Yeti Local Foods Cafe

Refreshment Outpost

PizzeRizzo

What’s your favorite quick service Disney World restaurant?

Things to NEVER Bring to Disney World:

Things you MUST Bring to Disney World (or at least really should):

What packing mishaps have you seen or done?

Who’s YOUR favorite from How to Train Your Dragon?

Renee – Magic Kingdom

Jason – Universal Studios

Chris – Animal Kingdom

Rob – Hollywood Studios

Adam – Manager of Michael’s VIPs

Thank you so much Adam & the rest of the team at Michael’s VIPs for an unforgettable trip! Hopefully we’ll see you again soon!

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Where’s your favorite place for breakfast at Disneyland?

Sweet Thai Chili Shrimp $6.99

Chicken Corn Chowder $4.69

Carrot and Celery Sticks with Hummus $4.49

Good Health Veggie Chips $2.99

Whole Fruit $2.29

What’s your favorite healthy Disney World snack?

The Sword in the Stone

The Purple Wall

Rapunzel’s Bathrooms

Tiki Statues

The Bubblegum Wall

Rockin’ Roller Coaster Entrance

The Toothpaste Wall

Mexico Pavilion Epcot

Giant At-AT

You Are Most Beautiful Wall

Where’s your favorite Disney World selfie spot?

Pixar Play Zone

In-Room Babysitting

Baby Center

In Park Assistance

Treasure Hunt

Have you tried any of these Disney World childcare options?

Swiss Family Treehouse

Pete’s Silly Sideshow

On The Liberty Belle

Catch a Show

“it’s a small world”

Columbia Harbor House

Where’s your favorite place to rest in Magic Kingdom?

Banshees

Spirit Jerseys

Festival and Party Merchandise

Haunted Mansion

Ears

Souvenir mugs

Which Disney World souvenir is your favorite?

Which Disney Resort is your favorite?